Big Jay McNeely (Cecil James McNeely, Watts, Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 29, 1927 - September 16, 2018) was an American rhythm and blues tenor saxophonist. McNeely was inspired by Illinois Jacquet and Lester Young. He teamed up with his older brother Robert McNeely, who played baritone saxophone, and made his first recordings with drummer Johnny Otis, who ran the Barrelhouse Club that stood only a few blocks from McNeely's home. Shortly after he performed on Otis's "Barrel House Stomp"